With movement at the top of Billard Leece Partnership the practice is positioning itself for the future.
Change is certainly happening in the architecture and design world and Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) is the latest high profile practice to embrace the future through the appointment of a new Managing Director and leadership team that comprises of 12 Principals and 11 Associates.
With a 130-strong staff and offices in Melbourne and Sydney, BLP has long been regarded as global experts in social infrastructure. As a leading architecture practice in Australia for 25 years the new appointments will herald a more inclusive model of ownership that further recognises the talent within the company.
Tara Veldman has been appointed Managing Director, following the retirement of David Leece, and the new team of Principals include, Ron Billard, Mark Mitchell, Adam Muggleton, Tonya Hinde, Emily Gilfillan, Raj Senanayake, Ken Tsen, Matthew Hughes, Paul Longridge, Ariel Lopez, and Shane Wood. Billard, Veldman and Mitchell, along with non-executive directors Tim Shannon and David Tregoning will be joined on the board by a new member, Adam Muggleton.
Veldman’s credentials are impeccable having established the Sydney office of BLP 10 years ago. The studio has since expanded to accommodate some 70 staff with projects that span the range of the health and education sectors. Soon to be completed projects include the Campbelltown Hospital in mid-2021 and the University of Sydney Health Precinct, in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Citing the work at hand Veldman elaborated, “The significant projects BLP is working on will shape the future of social infrastructure in Australia and overseas. We design for a healthy world. We are focused on re-envisaging hospitals, health hubs, education precincts, high tech research labs, residential communities and continuing to pioneer new ways of working.”
To further demonstrate the importance of the social impact of health and wellbeing in the built environment, Veldman will continue to support the evidence-led, user-focused design strategies that have been a hallmark of BLP’s success.
“Our objective is to build healthier communities, which means designing for the entire community by creating well-considered environments for the more vulnerable: developing playful healing and learning opportunities for children; providing safe, non-stigmatized spaces for people with mental health issues; stimulating secure centres for seniors and their families,” said Veldman.
BLP has completed many complex projects both in Australia and overseas and the practice has received multiple awards and accolades for its work. Some projects completed in the last years include the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne; Orygen – The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Parkville, Victoria; the University of Melbourne’s Werribee Campus Redevelopment; and the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital.
Currently BLP is involved with the planning of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, two projects that together present a total investment of some $1.3 billion. Through these large-scale projects BLP is helping to shape the design future of some of the most important sectors in our community and this will continue with the leadership of Veldman as the new CEO reiterated, “Our business has a proven ability to deliver complex and large-scale projects with an inherent humanity, that’s greatly appreciated by our government clients. The BLP design team has worked with the principles of design research, design thinking and co-design methodologies for decades, putting the user at the heart of the design process, being empathetic to their needs.”
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Elana Castle catches up with Andrew Simpson, industrial designer and supercycler.
In the sensory cluster-barrrage that is the Milan design week, making a lasting impression requires not just beautiful product, but the creation of immersive, surprising and original environments. Indesign Managing Editor Lorenzo Logi shares his favourites from the fair.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Esoteriko has embodied a new lease on beauty within Double Bay’s latest cosmetic clinic, overlayed with modern eclecticism.
DKO’s Interior Design Director on how to create community and specificity in interior design, and how apartment living is being reconceptualised.
Beau Fulwood and Alison Peach on returning to a low-tech, first-principles concept of design as a strategy to combat climate change.
The brief for the new Government Agency office in Canberra was a challenging combination of high performance and high concept. The Mill Architecture + Design turned to Milliken to bring the ambitious project to life.